News | Distracted Driving

Distracted driving factor in majority of crashes

The Hill
April 3, 2017

Distracted driving was a factor in the majority of car trips that ended in crashes, according to a new study released Monday.

Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT), which analyzed hundreds of thousands of drivers’ phones from real-world car crashes, found that distraction occurred in 52 percent of all trips that resulted in an accident.

The average duration of the distraction in those crashes was 135 seconds, and often at speeds over 56 mph. The three most common forms of phone distraction are texting, social media and email.

“This data makes it clear that distracted driving is one of the most urgent public safety problems facing our communities today,” said Hari Balakrishnan, chief technology officer of CMT. “With April being Distracted Driving Awareness Month, it’s important to take a critical look at how we can most effectively reduce the danger that drivers face.”

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